Steam generator for internal-combustion engines



Feb. 9,19%. 1,572,614

L. L. LUCE STEAM GENERATOR FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTIbN ENGINES Filed Oct. 2, 1923 Mum/170m 400/15 L Luce,

Patented Feb. 9, 1926.

FATE

1. OFFICE.

LOUIS LEONARD LUCE, OF PORTLAND, OREGON, ASSIGNOR TO LUCE-MATTSON ENGINE COMPANY, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA.

STEAM GENERATOR FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

Application filed October 2, 1923. SerialflNo. 666,056.

'1 0 all whom it many canoe m:

Be it known that 1, Lotus L. LUcic-i, "a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Portland, in the county of Multnomah and State of Oregon, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steam Generators for Internal-Combustion Engines, as set forth in the annexed specification.

This invention relates to improvements in internal combustion engines, and particularly to the combination therewith of a steam generator, the type of engine with which I have illustrated my invention being that shown in the copending patent application filed by Leroy Mattson and myself October 1, 1921, Serial No. 504,546.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide improved and novel means of conserving the excess heat generated in an internal combustion engine and converting the same into useful channels either through its return and application within the power cylinders of the engine or by its withdrawal for other purposes.

A further object of the invention is theprovision of means to gene-rate steam bya heat interchange between the hot exhaust gases and the water drawn from the cooling system of an engine.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of meansto utilize the heat in the waste combustion products of an in ternal combustion engine in the generation of steam and directing said'steam within the power cylinders for the purpose of thoroughly scavenging the cylinders and partially mixing with the incoming gases to make a more highly explosive compound.

A still further object of the invention is to combine with an internal combustion engine a structure that constitutes both a muffler and a steam generator or water heater whereby an eflicient and improved muffler is provided and the hot water or steam generated may be employed for various useful purposes outside of the generating engine, such as in heating a building or furnishing a general source of steam or hot water su ply.

ith the above and other objects and advantages of the invention in view, as will appear hereinafter, the invention consists in the novel construction and adaptation of an exhaust manifold conduitof an internal combustion engine in: combination with a means of generating steam therethrough, together with means of applying said steam to useful work, whereby waste heat products of the engine are saved and utilized and the exhaust is muffled in an etficient manner, as will be fully described in the following specifications, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and finally set forth in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a view in side elevation ofa internal combustion engine and steam generator mounted thereon cnibodying my invention, various details of construction of the engine not necessary to the understanding of the invention being omitted.

Fig. 2 is a view in vertical cross section through the upper portion of a'cylinder and steam generator illustrated in Fig.1.

ig. 3 isan enlarged view in longitudinal section throu'gh'said steam generator;

F 4 is a view in cross section on line l:-4: of Fig. 3 somewhat enlarged.

Referring to said views, wherein similar reference characters indicate like parts in the several views. the reference numeral 10 indicated generally an internal combustion engine of the two-cycle type having a base 11, cylinder units 12, each formed internally with a cylinder chamber 13 and a reciprocating p1ston'14t, in the usual manner.

15 indicates a port for the intake of fresh hydrocarbon gas to said chamber and 16-an exhaust port for the spent gases after ignition and expansion of the explosive charge.

An exhaust manifold pipe 20 extends horizontally of the engine and its internalchamber 21 is communicatively connected to said exhaust'port 16 by relatively short tubes 22. Said pipe 20 is closed at one end 23 and at its other end is extended by or connected to a return bend 24 communicating with a pipecasing 30 extending parallel and in superposed relation to said pipe 20. Said casing 30 is formed or provided with a wall 31 adjacent said bend 24 and a similar wall 32 at its opposite end 33. The walls 31 and 32 are symmetrically perforated and a plurality of gas-tubes 25 for the passage of exhaust gases therethrough are secured at their ends in said walls making steam-tight joints thereat. The end 83 may communicate or extend to a through which it-is forced by a pump 51 driven by the engine and withdrawn by preference from theupper portion .of the water- .space 52 of the engine cooling system, as at 63, and conveyedby pipe M -to the pump.

Steam generated and collected in space 43 escapes through openings into pipes 61 and thence by branches 62 to ported openings '63 in the cylinder walls positioned oppositely t0 the exhaust port 16 so that when it is uncovered by the piston 14 a jet of steam will be directed into the cylinder to expel the spent gases previous to the intake of the fresh gas I In brief, my new apparatus ope-rates as follows: The exhaust gases from the cylinders enter the chamber 21 through the tubes '22 and give up a portion of their heat through radiation i-ntothe water in the surrounding space 41. -The gases thencepass into the tubes 25 where the greater part of their heat will be rendered up to the surrounding water in space 43 where steam is generated and conveyed through pipes 61 and 62 to the engine cylinders, as described, or toany other place where the steam may be useful.

As a scavenging device whereby a jet of live steam is opened upon the escaping exhaust gases to rid the cylinder of practically all spent gases :the invention is extremely useful. Also owing to the positioning of the steam-port (53 relative to the intake port.

15 and exhaust port 16, a considerable amount of hot vapor will enterthe cylinder I after the exhaust port is closed and will be 1 mixed with the incoming charge of fresh gas and tend to improve the combustihility of the new charge andprom-ote the completeness of combustion in the power stroke of the engine.

It is obvious that hot water or steam may a be obtained from the space 43 and conducted by suitable means, not shown, to any place where it may be useful, such as to warm a room or building, or furnishing-a supply of hot Water or steam where the same may. be

desirable. v I I I I It will be seen that the apparatus constructed and organized in the manner shown will furnish an efficient muffler to dampen and absorb the noises incident to an explosive engine cylinder having an exhaust port in its lower side wall, a gas-inlet port in the lower sidewall of the cylinder oppositesaid exhaust port, a steam-inlet port in the lower side wall of the cylinder adjacent said gasinlet port, means to supply steam communicating with said steam-inletpont, and a piston in said cylinder controlling the opening and closing of said ports 2. In an internal combustion engine, :an engine cylinder having an exhaust portin its lower side wall, .a' gas-inletport in the lower side wall of the cylinder opposite said exhaust-port, a steam-inlet port in the lower side wall of the cylinder adjacent to and above said gas-inlet port, means to supply steam communicating with said steani inlet port, and apiston operative in said cylinder opening said steam-inlet port in advance of saidgas-inlet port engine cylinder-having an exhaust port in its lower side wall, .a gas-inlet port in the lower side wall of the cylinder opposite said exhaust-port, a steam-inlet port in the lower 8. In an internal combustion engineyan I side wall of the cylinder adjacent said .gas- 

